Episode 54: The Murder of Emily Jean (Schwarz) Ferlazzo

In a world where statistics paint a sobering picture—nearly 1 in 2 women and more than 2 in 5 men will experience intimate partner violence at some point in their lives—one mother’s love and wisdom would be tested in the most unimaginable way. Adrienne Bass knew what it was like to see her child in an unhealthy relationship. She understood the impulse to intervene, to tell her daughter that she deserved better, to push for her to leave. But through her own painful experience, Adrienne knew something deeper: pushing too hard could drive a wedge between them. She didn’t want to lose her daughter—she knew that sometimes, love meant patience. It was 2021 when Adrienne’s daughter, Emily Jean, and her husband, Joseph, planned a trip to Bolton, Vermont. It was meant to be a fresh start, a celebration of their one-year anniversary, and an attempt to mend the cracks in their marriage. But that trip, meant to heal, would end in horror. Joseph returned alone. Emily Jean was gone. His story? That they’d gotten into an argument, and Emily had decided to take an Uber back to New Hampshire. But Emily never showed up. No one heard from her. No one saw her. What happened to Emily?   National Domestic Violence Support 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)   Sources: People – Man Convicted of Dismembering Wife During Anniversary Trip, Leaving Remains in Camper Bathroom – Samira Asma-Sadeque – December 17, 2024 - Man Convicted of Dismembering Wife During Anniversary Trip, Left Remains in Camper Bathroom Legacy – Emily Schwarz Obituary - Emily Schwarz Obituary (1999 - 2021) - Laconia, NH - Valley News Law & Crime Network – YouTube – Husband Dismembered Wife on Romantic Anniversary Trip to Vermont – January 2025 Burlington Free Press – Ferlazzo’s family remembers vibrant life – Elizabeth Murray – October 29, 2021 Burlington Free Press – Fear of Joseph Ferlazzo has kept her from speaking out – Elizabeth Murray – November 28, 2021 Crime Online – Jury Convicts New Hampshire Tattoo Artist of Killing, Dismembering Wife During Anniversary Camper Trip – KC Wildmoon – December 16, 2024 - Jury Convicts New Hampshire Tattoo Artist of Killing, Dismembering Wife During Anniversary Camper Trip – Crime Online MEAWW – Who is Joseph Ferlazzo? Man who admitted to killing and dismembering wife asked to pay her family $1.5 million – Srijal Sharma – January 19, 2023 - Who is Joseph Ferlazzo? Man who admitted to killing and dismembering wife asked to pay her family $1.5M - MEAWW Burlington Free Press – ‘That was almost me’: Murder suspect Ferlazzo previously accused of assault by another VT woman – Elizabeth Murray – November 28, 2021 - Vermont woman says she was attacked by homicide suspect in 2018 CourtTV – VT v. Joseph Ferlazzo: Van-Life and Death Murder Trial – Ivy Brown and Tiffany Smith – December 13, 2024 - VT v. Joseph Ferlazzo: Van-Life and Death Murder Trial | Court TV Conan Daily – Joseph Ferlazzo Jr. biography: 13 things about Northfield, New Hampshire Man – Jillianina Estevez – December 13, 2024 - Joseph Ferlazzo Jr. biography: 13 things about Northfield, New Hampshire man – CONAN Daily Town of Bolton, VT - Welcome to the Town of Bolton, Vermont - Bolton, Vermont